VSU INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Valdosta State University International Advisory Council is an institutional collegiate body charged with campus internationalization policy development and enhancement. It is composed of faculty and staff representing colleges, departments, and other internationally-focused units on campus. The Council brings together an array of international expertise and perspectives from across the University and serves as a strategic "think tank" in helping to move VSU's global mission forward.

CHARGE & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The International Advisory Council shall be responsible for: (1) Advising the Director of International Programs and the university leadership on matters related to international education policies and strategy; (2) Identifying opportunities for internationaizing thel curriculum and respective academic programs coordination, planning, development, and enhancement; (3) Formulating strategies for faculty development and internationalization, and serving as a panel to review and advise on international programs and exchanges; (4) Identifying ways to strengthen the global dimension of student experiences on campus, stimulate student interest in international education and service; (5) Recommending broad institutional policies and goals for programs of study, research and other collaborative opportunities abroad (6) Identifying opportunities and procedures to improve services for international students and scholars; (7) Advising the Director of CIP, the Provost, and the University President on external relations concerning the international dimension of the University; (8) Promoting and enhancing international living on campus; (9) Recommending revised or new policies as appropriate in any area of the University to strengthen the international character of the institution; and (10) Actively supporting community engagement activities in the international dimension.

The Center for International Programs provides the staffing for this institutional body.

Meetings

The Council meets two times a year (third week of each Fall and Spring semester) and is convened by the Director of the Center for International Programs, who serves as Ex Officio Chair of the Council. 

Between regular sessions of the International Advisory Council (IAC) activities are coordinated by of the Director of the Office of International Programs, assisted by the chairs of the respective IAC committees.  

Committees

The IAC Committees include:

  • Study Abroad Committee;
  • Faculty Internationalization Committee (FIF and Brown Scholar Awards);
  • International Students Committee
  • Inter-institutional Collaboration Committee  (Regional Councils, Studies, and organizations)
  • Curriculum Internationalization Committee: International Minor Committee.

Each Committee shall have a faculty Chair, and ex officio Executive (CIP staff) and at least three members from the IAC. Additional faculty and staff, as well as student representatives can be invited to join and act as non-voting members of every IAC Committee. The faculty Chair of each Committee is elected by the International Advisory Council.

IAC Committees meetings are public and open to all VSU faculty and staff members. The International Students committee will have an international student organization representative as a member.  The bylaws of each committee have to be approved by the IAC with a simple majority.